So, some of you have been wondering how the presentation to the Springfield Public Schools Board of Education went. Well, here’s my report!

On January 18, the day of the meeting, Dr. Norm Ridder, Superintendent of SPS held a press conference discussing the 1 million dollar budget cut he had to implement. Because of this announcement, the press was out in full force at the board meeting.

It was my privilege to be first on the docket, and I presented the following information:

• PowerPacks - started in 2006, currently providing food to 180 children twice a month at Weller Elementary.
• Lunch Buddies - at the invitation of Principal Marilyn Monroe, we sit with kids during lunch. Results are already being seen - one little boy’s reading score was up 233 points. 30 adults are involved in this, and many have more than one “buddy.”
• Weller Christmas Party - for two years now, we have hosted over 600 parents and children. Free to the whole family we had Inflatables, pictures with Santa (and a copy provided that night), gift-wrapping and food.
• We hosted a basketball camp for 4th-6th graders
• Last fall, we provided money to Pipkin Middle School basketball players so they could have a dress shirt and tie for game days. Enough money was left over that they started a fund to help with other sports teams in the school.
• Last year, a new ministry began called OneSolePurpose. As a result of the PowerPacks ministry, Gayla Wells had a burden to put Converse Chucks on the feet of every child at Weller - 330 pairs of shoes! We raised the money ($8,500) in 4 weeks.
• This year, as part of the 75th Anniversary celebration of High Street, we want to help OneSolePurpose put shoes on the kids of every Title I elementary school in Springfield. That’s 21 schools, and about 5,700 pairs of shoes.
• In order to raise awareness and money for OneSolePurpose, High Street will be the primary sponsor for a 5K Run/Walk and Community Fair on May 14, 2011. Details are being finalized; stay updated at http://onesolepurpose.highstreet.org/.

One board member complemented us on our desire to keep increasing what we do in the community.

Later, while Dr. Ridder reported on the budget cuts and the implications for the schools, he commented that efforts like that of Weller and High Street’s partnership needs to be duplicated by schools and organizations around the city.

We are excited to pioneer efforts to work in this way.

Ultimately, this is all part of how High Street is seeking to Love God, Serve People and Reach the World. It is one more way we can be Matthew 5:16 believers.